Waving American flags, thousands of people paid tribute to members of the military with a festive Memorial Day parade in Canoga Park on Monday that also included poignant remembrances of those who gave their lives in the service of their country.

Families lined the sidewalks along Sherman Way and cheered as veterans and active service members marched past, or rode on cars and floats decorated with stars and stripes.

"It's overwhelming to see this turnout on Memorial Day," said Navy veteran Constantine Savalas, 92, one of the parade's grand marshals and a witness to the attack on Pearl Harbor.

"It's still in my heart - the memory of that day, and the memory of those men who gave up their lives," he said after singing "God Bless America" during a wreath-laying ceremony for fallen comrades.

Savalas expressed hope that Americans would never forget their sacrifice.

Virginia Sandoval, a 58-year-old medical assistant from Sherman Oaks, was happy to oblige.

She held up a "Thank You" sign decorated with American flags and bunting along the parade route.

"I come to honor all the veterans," Sandoval said. "We wouldn't have the freedom that we have now if it weren't for them."

The crowds listened as taps played, whooped as planes and helicopters did flybys, and applauded as a truck carrying military veterans passed by, decorated with the words, "All Gave Some. Some Gave All."

Marine veteran John Archer, 77, who fought in the Korean War, was aboard that truck, wearing fatigues.

He got up from his seat and tore off his breathing tube when the crowds started cheering for him and his comrades.

"The people are so giving," Archer said. "And we appreciate it. We do."

Lee Mills, 78, served with the Navy during the Korean War, but sat with the crowds during the parade, wearing a cap decorated with military insignia and the words, "I served with pride."

He became emotional watching children, their parents and their grandparents whoop and holler to honor the military.

"It brings tears, a little bit," he said. "I feel so honored, so privileged to have been able to serve in the military because I got so much out of it."

"It was one of the blessings of my life," he added.

The parade also featured marching bands and cheerleaders, horseback riders, classic cars, and even a truck decorated with a massive cardboard sculpture of an American eagle.

Seven-year-old Marquise White of Los Angeles showed his appreciation by enthusiastically waving an American flag that he had made himself, using crayons and glitter.

To him, Memorial Day "means that the whole America gets to have a great time."

His younger sister, a toddler, also made a flag. It was mostly purple doodles, but nobody cared.

"It's good for the little ones to come out and honor the flag," said Harry Steere, 69, who served with the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

"I think it's wonderful and I think more people should do this," said Walter Junkel, 87, who served in the Army and was among the first troops to arrive in Japan at the end of World War II.

"I think as we go on with our lives, and our work, we have a tendency to forget what the GI's did through all the conflicts," Junkel said. "I think it's wonderful for people to come out and see some of us GI's that are still left."